Author's Note: Well, this didn't go according to plan, did it?
Hello all, I apologize for the long delay. As I expected, the holidays brought a lot of extra responsibilities that kept me from writing as much as I'd liked. Thought I'd be able to post this last weekend, but even that fell through. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
I'm hesitant to say that things will be timelier for the next chapter, as I imagine things will just be more chaotic as we get closer to the new year. Instead, I'll have to settle that I can confirm there will be a new chapter. I'm still alive. This story is still important to me. I'm not dropping this series and blah blah blah you've heard this before.
Moving on, this chapter was tough to get out, mostly because it's my attempt to gather all the loose ends and have a frank discussion to get most of the characters on the same page. If I'm being honest, I probably could have spent even more time on this but at this point, I think it's more important to get it out and move on. This is why I like deadlines.
Anywho I hope you enjoy talking, but if there is a subject I didn't address, please let me know.
I also imagine some of you might have a few things to say about the events at the end of this chapter. Let me know what you think, as this moment will have rippling effects as we go forward.
Alright, that's it for me, I hope all of you are having a lovely holiday season if you're celebrating, and as always thank you for reading, and please, enjoy.
"Did you find anyone?"
Chichi's question took Z out of his own head as he returned to the small clearing they had been hiding in since Krillin took off after Goku.
Once the shaking from the battle had stopped, Chichi told the agent to search for signs of life. He didn't want to leave the mother leaning against a tree alone, but her fierce growl convinced him. Yet, he had returned with little information to share.
"No, nothing. It doesn't help that the forest itself is in ruins, which made navigation that much harder. If I hadn't seen for myself what your husband and that machine were capable of, I would have thought a hurricane swept through."
"Is it really that bad?" Chichi asked solemnly.
"Unfortunately, from what I can see, it looks like half of the landscape has been destroyed."
The ox princess fell quiet at Z's answer. She opted to look at her hands even as Z walked over to her side.
"I know you've been through a lot, but I need to know if you are capable of flying."
"If it wasn't for this knee maybe, but the pain is distracting me," Chichi said solemnly. "I'm not sure how well I'd be able to fly, even if we got into the air."
"That still might be our best option should that android find us again."
"It won't. Goku will be here soon."
"You have a lot of faith in your husband to say that, even after everything we've seen."
"On days like this, faith is all I have."
"On days like this?"
"Yes," the mother said simply. "Days like today when I have to hold on to the belief that Goku, Gohan, and the others will return safely from whatever they are fighting. Just cooking and waiting for some kind of news. Even now, with my father dead and my home burning, all I can do is believe that everything will turn out okay. The only difference between today is that I ran away instead of cooking." Chichi said, knocking her head against the tree she was leaning against. "… but I'm tired. I'm tired of just believing."
"Then… maybe you'll understand why I am here."
She looked over at Z, who knelt down on one knee as he continued to speak. "Our world has suffered two invasions and a miracle that has rocked our very perspective of how life and death work. The King has asked Krillin for an explanation and has received little to use. With no knowledge of how these world-altering events have occurred, it has forced the King to lie to the people of Earth. Naming and crediting a nameless hero they haven't seen before. Like you, the people are tired of just believing."
"So the King sent you to my house to what? Demand answers?"
"To understand," Z said firmly. "To understand what is happening to Earth and how we can help."
"Help? You think you can help against something like this?"
"We can help. Maybe not in the fighting, but we can help the people who need it. The people who can't fly away when the entire world starts to shake."
"… there's a lot more to this."
"Then help me understand what this is. You might not realize it, but the actions of your group have affected the entire world. The power your husband and friends have is beyond understanding, but real people are at risk every time a fight occurs. You can't ignore us. Someone must step forward before things get worse."
Chichi paused, unsure of her response. Yet before she could gather her thoughts, her eyes caught sight of two figures slowly dropping out of the sky towards them. One she instantly recognized as her husband.
"Chi!" Goku said, rushing over to her side. "Are you alright?"
"No, but I'm not any worse than when you last saw me."
"Here, let me pick you up," Goku said, scooping up his wife faster than she was ready for.
"Wait Go-" Chichi stared but was cut off by a sharp pain through her knee as she was lifted. "AH!"
"Oh, I-I'm sorry Chi. Guess I don't know my own strength."
"It's alright. So, is the fight over?"
"Yeah, it is," Goku said slowly. "I… I also went home… I don't… really know what to say."
"Oh Goku," Chichi said, leaning into him with an embrace. "I'm just glad you're safe."
"… is Gohan-"
"He's okay," Chichi said sharply. "Krillin told me he's at capsule corp with the others."
"Good," Goku breathed out. "Then everything will be alright, we'll get the dragonballs together and bring back your dad and fix the fore-"
"Dragonballs?"
The two looked toward Z, who hadn't even attempted to hide himself. "What is a dragonball?"
"You're that guy that was helping Chi earlier," Said Goku. "Who are you?"
"You can call me Z and I work for the King. I'm also someone in desperate need of answers, so if you don't mind, please answer my question."
Goku and Chichi paused, unsure of what to say, leaving Z the opportunity to continue.
"Very well, then I'll share my theory," the agent said, dusting himself before glaring at the husband at wife with a gaze that cut through his dark glasses. "You said 'bring back' just now, didn't you? Then these dragonballs must link to the miracle, correct?"
"The miracle?" Goku asked with visible confusion.
"Haven't heard of it, Son Goku? You not knowing is telling, then again you were gone for a year, but the miracle is a phenomenon known the world over. So where were you?"
"On another planet," Goku said flatly.
"Wh-what?" Z stammered. "On… another planet?"
"Yeah, it was called Yardrat. I landed there after Namek blew up."
"… what. What is Namek?"
"Another planet."
"You were on a planet… that blew up?"
"Yep."
"…. I… I see."
"Goku, where is Krillin?" Chichi asked redirecting the saiyan's attention. "I asked him to help you."
"He's hurt, really hurt. Yamcha was here as well and took him to the lookout. Everyone else should be there, too."
"Krillin's hurt?" Chichi said, her face falling in horror.
"Yeah, I'm still not sure exactly how, but something happened while helping me,"
"He's with Yamcha now though, so he should be okay," Trunks added, stepping forward. "We're going to check on him now."
"Oh… and you are?"
"This is Trunks," Goku quickly added. "He helped me fight that silver guy with Yamcha and Krillin."
"Ah, so that's your name," Z said before Chichi could respond as he wiped off the dirt from his pants. "You're wearing a capsule corp jacket, then you must be the young man the King spoke to."
"How do you know that?" Trunks said, eyeing the human suspiciously.
"Because I work for the King, quite closely, in fact."
"He came to the house before that thing attacked us," Chichi added. "He knows about Krillin and has been trailing us for a while."
"Only because Krillin has been unwilling to share more about the events that involve all of us."
"You're talking about the miracle," Trunks said, recalling his talk with the King.
"To name one, yes," Z nodded. "More recently, with what happened in the North Mountains and how it has led to the deaths of so many."
Trunks flinched at that but said nothing.
"Now, if Krillin is indeed hurt and you plan on seeing him," Z continued. "Then I would ask you to take me as well."
"You want to go to the lookout?" Goku asked in surprise. "Wait… why?"
"For the sake of everyone who does not understand why these invasions have happened or how the miracle was even possible, I'd like to understand what is happening to this planet before something worse happens."
Goku and Trunks looked at each other unsure of what to do before Chichi looked over at spoke up.
"We should take him with us."
"Really?" Goku asked in surprise.
"If we don't, he'll just go back to the King with the wrong information who might send more people after us. He already knows a lot and at the very least, we'll be able to better control what he shares if we bring him."
"Hmmm, alright if you say so," Goku shrugged. "Trunks, can you carry him?"
"… I guess," Trunks said. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"We'll find out!" Goku said before looking back at Chichi. "Oh, you haven't seen the lookout before, have you, Chi?"
"No, I haven't."
"You'll love it!"
Chichi, in fact, did not love the lookout.
The air grew colder as they flew higher into the sky, had her shaking and the dizzying heights made her cling to her husband. Even Trunks was surprised at how high into the sky they needed to climb before the underbelly of the lookout could even be seen.
"There it is!" Goku cried, speeding up a tad more, increasing Chichi's shiver.
As they came in for a landing, the others had gathered into a small circle that opened up once Goku came into view. Tien, Yamcha, Yajirobi, Piccolo, Bulma, Launch who was currently sporting blue hair, Vegeta, Kami, Mr. Popo and an older man Goku didn't recognize seemed to be part of the crowd.
"Goku!"
A variety of voices called out to the saiyan as he touched down on the surface of the lookout.
"Hey everyone!"
He was soon swarmed by most of the crowd, but the one who reached him first had moved the fastest. Rushing him down with enough force to almost knock him off the edge was his son.
"Dad!"
He had grown since he had last seen him on Namek, and not just in height. Sensing his ki energy, Goku was almost stunned at the growth he felt emanating from Gohan. He was about to comment on it before Gohan's focus shifted over to his mother, who still lay in his arms.
"Mom! Are you okay?"
"I'm alright sweetheart," Chichi answered, reaching down to touch her son's head. "I'm so relieved to see you."
Gohan nodded and smiled warmly before looking back at his father.
"Mr. Krillin told me you were here, but I wasn't sure."
"Well, I'm here! Just got back from space!"
"Is that why you're wearing that… interesting outfit?" Tien asked, looking over the saiyan.
"Haha yeah got on the planet Nail and I landed on, he's wearing the sa-" Goku said before realizing that Chichi was wincing from the pain in her knee as he moved about. "Oh, sorry Chi."
"If you are injured, then please allow me," Kami said, pushing his way toward Chichi.
"Oh t-thank you it's my knee," Chichi said, a little surprised by the guardian. "We met once, didn't we?"
"Briefly," Kami said, holding his hand over the broken knee. "At the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament… I assume you received this injury escaping from your android assailant?"
"Yes, how did you know about that?"
"I gave everyone a brief rundown," Yamcha said quickly. "But weren't you with Tru-"
At that moment, Trunks touched down on the lookout, and all eyes were on him. There was a moment of silence as Trunks felt the weight of stares baring down on him before the cutting words of the saiyan prince shattered the quiet.
"So there you are. The supposed super saiyan."
Trunks looked toward Vegeta in stunned silence, unsure of what to say next. The only reply he eventually could muster was a weak nod.
"Nothing to say, boy? You appear out of nowhere nearly give Cooler the opportunity to blow up the planet and you have nothing to say for it?"
"Uh, a-are you Vegeta?"
"So, you have a voice," the prince scoffed. "Then you can use it to explain what the hell is going on!"
"Perhaps in a moment," the old man said, stepping forward. "I'm more concerned with the man you're carrying on your back.
"Oh yeah, this is-" Trunks started and then stopped when he realized that during the flight Z had passed out.
"Seems like our friend couldn't handle the trip here," the older man said in a light tone. "This will make the coming conversation easier without his input. Mr. Popo?"
"Yes?" Mr. Popo said
"Could you find a bed for our surprise guest here? I'll have to have a word with him when he recovers."
"Of course."
Moving quickly, Mr. Popo moved to Trunks's side and reached out toward the unconscious Z. "May I?"
"Uh sure," Trunks said, giving up the human.
Cradling the agent as if he weighed nothing, Mr. Popo gave a polite bow and left for the lookout's entrance.
"Any reason you've brought an agent of the King here?" The old man asked Trunks with a raised eyebrow.
"It was actually my idea," Chichi said, leaving her husband's arms and standing on her own two feet. "He arrived at my house before the attack. He seemed to know a lot about us and the North Mountains, so I assumed he knew about us. I may have told him too much."
"What did you tell him?"
"It's a little hazy, but I know I mentioned Yamcha, Bulma, and Piccolo by name," Chichi admitted, before looking over to Piccolo. "He called you the demon king."
"Unsurprising," Piccolo scoffed. "I imagine that's how the King would view me as well."
"Well, Piccolo's one thing, but did you have to talk about me?" Bulma said with no small amount of annoyance. "They probably just know me as Dr. Brief's daughter. What's the government going to do now that they know I'm directly involved with the 'hero'?"
"I'm… sorry," Chichi said in defeat. "He mentioned something about Gohan and I had heard nothing about the fight yet. I panicked, and I wasn't thinking."
"That's alright," Bulma said, surprised at the lack of fight coming from the ox princess. "You've… you've been through a lot today."
"He also overheard us talking about the dragonballs. I thought it would be smarter to explain things to him here."
"I suppose you're right," the old man sighed. "There's little point in ignoring what he's seen."
"Um, also, I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you," Chichi asked, looking at the old man. "Are you Master Roshi?"
The old man blinked away his surprise before turning over to Tien. "Do I look that old?"
"Well, you don't look young," the three-eyed warrior said, crossing his arms.
"No respect for the elderly," the old man said, shaking hi1s head. "No Chichi, I'm not Master Roshi. I'm Krillin."
"What?!" Goku exclaimed, looking over at the old man and slowly seeing the similarities. "But we just saw you, and you weren't this… old."
"Yes, well. There are several things I need to share with you and all the others, but I'd like to start with you," the older monk said, turning back towards Trunks. "Yamcha and Bulma have told us a few things you've told them, but I would rather have you speak candidly now."
Again, all eyes turned onto Trunks, who withered under the particularly intense gaze of the saiyan prince.
"It's alright Trunks," Krillin said, grabbing the young man's attention. "We may not have all met on the best of terms, but you helped save Chichi, Goku, and myself so you have our thanks. You are among friends now."
"Friends," Trunks repeated, casting a quick glance over to Gohan, who looked back with deep curiosity.
"Alright, this isn't how I thought this would go, but I need all of your help more than I thought…. my name is Trunks and as hard as it may be to believe, I'm from the future."
"Yamcha and Bulma already told us, you weirdo," Yajirobi said flatly. "It's not a big deal anymore. Now talk about this bucket of bolts you fought."
"Yes, well, there's a problem with that, too. I originally came here with a warning that three years from now, two androids will appear and destroy almost everything. Men, women, children, they slaughter everyone in front of them, even all of you."
"What?" Vegeta snarled. "You expect me to believe that a machine kills me? Laughable."
"I know it's hard to believe it's true, but it is. The only person to survive that fight is my teacher… and best friend, Gohan."
"Me?" Gohan said in surprise, which only grew as Trunks nodded.
"Then Gohan grows up to be a fighter!" Goku grinned. "Always knew he had it in him!"
"He was strong," Trunks nodded. "The strongest warrior I knew… but even he wasn't powerful enough to defeat the androids. Eventually… they got him, too."
"Well, hold on, you and Yamcha already beat one of them, right?" Bulma said confidently. "Then that just leaves one left."
Trunks paused, and his eyes narrowed. "That's the problem, that silver fighter. There's no doubt that it was an android, but not one I've ever seen before. What's more is that it was far weaker than the androids I know."
"Then there are more androids?" Piccolo growled.
"It seems so," Trunks nodded. "… and that's not the difference I've noticed, either. For starters, I was expecting Frieza to invade instead of Cooler."
"Frieza? Why would he be here?" Yamcha asked, raising his only eyebrow. "Yajirobi, Chiaotzu, and I killed him on Namek."
"Killed him? No… I was told that Goku defeated him after he transformed into a super saiyan. Then he came to Earth looking for revenge."
"Huh? But I didn't turn into a super saiyan on Namek," Goku said in confusion. "Gohan did."
"That makes little sense. I felt your ki energy earlier and that amount of power can only come from a super saiyan."
"What!?" Vegeta snapped. "Kakarot is this true!?"
"Yeah. While I fought that android and I saw what it did to Ox King and my grandpa's ho-"
"Goku!" Chichi snapped as she realized Gohan was listening intently.
"Wha… what happened to grandpa?" Gohan asked softly.
"Oh sweety," Chichi said, kneeling down and giving him a hug. "I'll explain later, but don't worry, everything will be alright."
"Ridiculous," Vegeta continued, his focus remaining on his rival. "So even Kakarot is a super saiyan now?"
"We can come back to that," Krillin said, sending a quick glance to Vegeta. "Right now, let's circle back to you, Trunks. You've said you came here expecting Frieza, but that didn't pan out. What I would like to know is what happened after we saved you from Cooler?"
"I'm… not completely sure myself, to be honest. When I woke up, I was in a facility and talked with someone named General Bara."
"Bara?" Launch said, peeping up. "She's a general of the King's army."
"That's how she introduced herself, but I didn't answer them at first. Then the King walked in."
"You spoke with the King?" Krillin asked.
"Yes, we traded some questions I had, which included the 'miracle' that happened a year ago."
"You hadn't heard of it?" Tien said, speaking up. "Then was East City not destroyed in your time?"
"N-no it was," Trunks said, looking over to the prince, who only glared in response. "But I was never told about an entire city being brought back to life afterward. I'm assuming you used the dragonballs for that?"
"That is correct," Kami stated. "Though I am curious if you did not use the dragon to restore East City's population back to life, what was your solution?"
"I… don't know. I wasn't born yet, and no one told me anything about East City growing up. So maybe we did nothing."
"Seems that our history's differences are more radical than you imagined," Krillin said, frowning a bit. "Bulma, do you have any thoughts about this?"
"A few," Bulma answered while mulling over everything. "You mentioned before that you traveled here in a machine, but it was destroyed, right?"
"Yes, it must have happened during the fight with Cooler."
"As long as some parts are intact, then I could get a better sense of the tech used. I might be able to recreate it but I'll have to see. I'm guessing you weren't the one to build it? Who did?"
"I-I can't say, I'm sorry."
"Now is hardly the time for secrets, young man," Kami said flatly.
"I know, but there are still some things I can't share."
"Then let's refocus," said Krillin. "What did the King have to say to you?"
"He had questions about you. Such as if you were in the North Mountains to start."
"Unsurprising," Krillin said with a sigh. "My younger self has been trying to navigate the conversation in a way where he won't learn about the dragonballs or our identities. However, more than what the King had to say about me, I'd like to know if you told him about your warning for us."
"…I did."
"I see. Do you know around what time?"
"I was told an hour had passed since the seismic activity in the North Mountains had stopped."
"An hour? You're certain of that?"
"Y-yeah, why? Is that important?"
"… it is," the old monk said, his voice heavy. "My younger self went to the King to tell him that the battle at North Mountains had finished. By then you would have spoken to him about the androids, but he said nothing about them to me."
"He lied to you?"
"No, he simply didn't share what he knew, which is what I have been doing to him," Krillin said, his shoulders slumping and looking over to Chichi. "If he had, perhaps this tragedy would have never happened."
Chichi said nothing.
"With your explanation, then the agent's sudden appearance at Goku's home now makes sense. I'm uncertain how he found his way to Chichi, but he's rightly connected you to us despite having very little to go on. Perhaps your warning is what tied his assumptions together. Which begs the question of why you gave him the warning at all." Krillin said, his voice cutting like a blade.
Trunks shifted his weight as he contemplated his words carefully when he spoke. He matched Krillin's gaze with a hard stare of his own.
"The reason I got out of the North Mountains with no one knowing is that a soldier of the King's army carried me out. A man risked his life to get me out of the battlefield and brought me to the facility."
"A… soldier?" Krillin said slowly. "There… were people there?"
"Yes, apparently with a team of six. None of them survived."
"I… we, I didn't know," Krillin continued, his voice shirking.
"Then the furball was spying on us?" Yajirobi said, crossing his arms. "Even after your warning?"
"Seems so, and it got people killed," Yamcha added. "Looks like we can't trust him with anything else."
"Not sure why you've wasted anytime entertaining him," Piccolo seethed. "I hope you realize that this is the consequences of your own actions."
"Now hang on," Bulma butted in. "The only reason the King knows about Krillin is that he saved those people in the helicopter when Vegeta came to Earth. If he hadn't, they would have died. Are you saying that's better?"
"If he had let them die, then we wouldn't be worried about spies right now, would we?"
"Saving people in need shouldn't be a question," Tien said firmly. "If we're able to help, then we should act."
"Oh, should we human?" Vegeta butted in. "Will we save everyone with a problem, then? Are we all at the beck and call of the entire planet?"
"Perhaps not you, saiyan," Kami said with a sideways glance. "These are matters for the denizens of Earth."
"Well, as a denizen of Earth, I can tell you that Vegeta has a point," Yamcha said, looking over at the prince. "We can save the people in front of us, but we can't be everywhere."
Vegeta looked at the former bandit with an eyebrow raised but kept his silence.
"Then perhaps we should announce our presence to the world," Tien added. "The secrets we've been keeping are clearly doing more harm than good at this point."
"Don't be naïve, human," Piccolo snapped. "If we do that, then we open ourselves up to the risk of the dragonballs being exposed. No doubt the entire planet would be after them if they knew they were responsible for the miracle."
"Well, why don't we just use the dragonballs to make everyone forget about us?" Goku chimed in. "Then we can use them to wish everyone who died back to life later."
"The dragonballs," Krillin said slowly. "Are not something we can rely on at the moment."
"Huh? Why?" Goku said in surprise. "Did something happen to Shenron?"
"Yes, Goku. Shenron passed away."
"You mean like when King Piccolo killed him?" Goku said, almost scrambling for answers. "Then Kami can just restore him like before."
"Not this time, this time that duty falls onto me," Krillin said with a look over at Kami. "In fact, perhaps it's time I explain the reason I look this way, and what we must do next."
Krillin looked at his friends as they gave him the space he needed. They could clearly see the lines in his face dug deep by age. He stood a little hunched as if an invisible weight on his shoulders brought him down closer to the ground.
"After Namek," Krillin began. "Kami, Tsuno, and I met here to summon Shenron, hoping to use his power to restore Yamcha, Tien, Yajirobi, Chiaotzu, and the people of East City. As Kami is a resident of Namek Shenron's power originated from there, which made the summoning almost impossible after its destruction. We were only successful after Tsuno fused with Kami, giving us enough power to restore what we lost here, but it was not enough to bring back Namek or revive Chiaotzu. Afterward, Shenron faded and his statue crumbled. He is not returning."
"Then," Chichi started. "What about my father? Can we still bring him back?"
"… it will take time," Krillin said, looking at her with eyes on the verge of breaking. "I am sorry."
The ox princess placed a hand over her heart and squeezed, her eyes flickering with the tears. It was Gohan who lay a hand on her back and try his best to be a source of silent comfort. Even without being told, the small half-saiyan understood.
"Wait, you just said Shenron was toast. What do you mean 'it'll take time?'" Yajirobi asked, sideyeing Krillin. "If big old green is gone and his statue is bits how we bringing anyone back?"
"We will be able to once I have reformed the dragonballs and created a new dragon of Earth," Krillin said plainly.
"You're going to make a new dragon?" Goku asked with wide eyes. "How?"
"By communing with the planet and using its power in tandem with both my own and the dragon I received from Guru. However, every attempt requires a vast amount of concentration and strength. To prepare myself, I had to remain on the lookout, which allowed me to gather the energy needed. Yet, I also needed to be on Earth with the rest of you to plan for Cooler's arrival. My solution was to split my power so half of me would stay and the other would be with you."
"You mentioned as much to me," Tien said with a scowl. "What you failed to include was that you were also training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber as well. That's why you've aged so drastically, isn't it?"
"That is correct."
"Uh sorry," Goku said quickly. "What's a hyperbolic time chamber?"
"Ah yes you hadn't encountered it yet," Kami said shifting his focus to Goku. "It is a room located on the lookout that gives one access to another dimension where time moves slower than it does here. A year in that room is but a day here."
"Woah! You could get a lot of training done then!"
"That's the idea," Yamcha said sternly. "I wanted to use it while we were prepping for Cooler but Krillin said we weren't ready. Guess the real reason was because you were already in there."
"Yes, I apologize, but I needed the extra time and distance. Though I remain confident in my decision the time chamber is not an easy environment to overcome. Yet I required it use personally both to help in my attempts to form the dragonballs and in the recovery process afterward."
"Recovery?" Bulma said with worry. "Are you hurting yourself by making the dragonballs?"
"The weight of the world is immense," Krillin said with a sigh. "And the toll it takes is difficult both for myself and my younger half. I needed numerous months simply to recover after each attempt to help ease the strain."
"Then it is as I feared," Tien said with all three eyes narrowed. "Krillin, you aren't supposed to use that technique for as long as you have. It's only meant to be used to confuse an opponent or to overwhelm them quickly. The longer you remain apart, the harder it will be to return to yourself."
"Is it really that bad?" Launch asked meekly.
"Even I don't know the long-term effects of separating yourself for that long. You're far older than your other half. I'm not sure how that will affect you."
"Unfortunately, it's even direr than that," Kami said. "Care to explain, Krillin?"
"… as time has gone on, my younger self, and I have some opposing views on we should proceed with the forming of Earth's dragon. We used to communicate easily, but now the connection is nothing more than a shadow."
"So, you're like two different people?" Trunks asked, trying to understand. "I wasn't told about any of this in my time."
"Then just remerge together and be done with it," Piccolo growled. "With these androids on the way, we could use your power."
"Once my younger half awakens, I plan to do just that. They are currently recovering in another room. If we are successful, I will remain on the lookout to finish forming the dragonballs," Krillin stated. "I am uncertain how long that will take, but the task will take time. I may not join you on the front lines for sometime."
"Can't you just fire some beams or whatever from up here?" Yajirobi said with a shrug. "Could have used that against Cooler too, ya jerk."
"Cooler was moving too quickly for any attack of mine to land from here," Krillin answered. "And with no ki energy to sense from the androids, I'd be even less likely to help in that way."
"Then what do you propose?" Kami asked his student.
All eyes turned toward the old monk giving him the floor. Scanning the small group, he could see that his friends were nervous, scared, and with Chichi heartbroken. Only after breathing in through his mouth and softly exhaling did Krillin start to speak.
"First, Chichi, Goku, and Gohan. For the time being, you should all remain here on the lookout. There is plenty of room and enough food and drink. Even with Goku's appetite."
"Stay here?" Chichi said, snapping out of her own head for a moment. "On the lookout?"
"I feel that is for the best. Clearly, the androids are targeting Goku, and while we do not know when or where they will strike next, the lookout is well-fortified."
"You really think they'll attack again?" Launch asked nervously.
"I do. Also, is I suspect they have a way of tracking us. Chichi's home is far removed from civilization and this Gero knew where she was and who she is. While his primary target may be Goku, for whatever reason, it's clear he's learned enough about her and her location to launch an attack."
"Tracking us?" Bulma said in surprise. "I… I suppose that's possible if he's capable of creating machines strong enough to keep up with you all."
"So, we're being spied on by the King and a mad scientist?" Yamcha said through gritted teeth. "When will this end?"
"Not today," Krillin said, his tone heavy. "If Trunks's warning is anything to go by, it will only get harder from here. Unlike our fight with Cooler, we don't know how many androids there are, where they will come from, and how strong they will be. With so many unknowns forming a plan will be difficult, we are at a disadvantage. We must prepare the best we can and use what we have."
"How?" Tien said, taking a small step forward. "You'll be here on the lookout forming the dragonballs, won't you? If these androids are as powerful as Trunks say they are, then we'll need you."
"My hands are tied," Krillin said with a bowed head. "Instead, you all will have to remain vigilant to where these androids attack next. Yet we cannot simply wait for them to find us. The lookout can act as a hub, but as things stand now, our best way of luring out these machines is to use ourselves as bait. If can corner them, then perhaps we can learn more about the enemy and their location."
"You're suggesting to split up?" Bulma asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I am, with no reliable way of sensing where these androids are, we'll have to bring them to us. If they are tracking our movements, then they will know when we each of us are on our own, they may have the element of surprise but as long as we are careful with our positioning, we can control when the fight will occur. With our communicators, we will remain in contact to provide backup if there is an attack."
"That's suicide!" Trunks shouted, turning every head towards him. "The androids from my time are far stronger than the ones we just fought. Even as a super saiyan I'm no match for them. I'm sorry, but as things are now splitting up will only get you all killed."
"You have a point," Krillin admitted. "If these androids are as deadly as you say, then if we were to act on this plan now, it may end with all of us dead. So this will take time before we can act on it, the time we will use to prepare each of you. We have trained together to overcome every obstacle to this new threat. Now we shall focus on your individual strengths. I may not join you in battle as a leader, but I can still aid you as a teacher."
"More training?" Yajirobi sighed. "Thought we were done with this."
"I know this is far from easy, and you are tired," Krillin admitted. "The events of the past few hours have shaken us and changed lives. After Cooler, you all earned your rest twice over, but we have been attacked and they have taken someone important for us. I don't know what Gero has in store for us or his next move, but his intentions could not be clearer. So, we will answer in kind and with force. We shall fight for the day when we no longer need to."
The circle of friends nodded in agreement as Krillin looked toward Trunks.
"I do not know how we fought the battle against the androids in your time, but here, we have our own way of fighting and we are stronger for it."
Trunks looked over to the small sea of faces staring back at him. Faces he had heard endless stories about now and believed that his warning would weigh heavily on them, yet it seemed he had been wrong. This timeline had something he did not.
"So, to reiterate," Bulma said, stepping in. "Step 1 is to refuse with your younger self and keep making dragonballs?"
"Correct. Once that task is done, we shall take our place as the new Guardian of Earth."
"Guardian?" Trunks exclaimed in surprise. "Like how Kami was? You can do that?"
"He can," Kami said, stepping forward. "His new position will make crafting dragonballs much easier.
"Humph, I'm surprised you're so willing to give up that power Kami," Piccolo spat. "After tearing yourself apart just to gain it."
"This is simply how it must be if we still aim to restore Namek and the others we have lost," Kami shot back. "Krillin has been successful in creating one dragonball, but he needs to create a full set of seven before we can make a wish."
"So that's where the dragonball came from," said Yamcha. "That was Krillin's."
"Yeah, I saw that," Goku said. "It was moving strangely, though."
"Strange how?" Tien asked with a raised brow. That you successfully created a dragonball with none of us knowing is concerning enough, but now it's moving strangely?"
"That," Krillin said, his face and tone growing tense. "Is something I must discuss with my other half. The dragonballs and the dragon we are creating have a direct connection to Earth instead of Namek, as Shenron did. There are differences we must figure out.
"Well, try to keep us in the loop this time," Tien added. "Speaking of that, what do you plan to do about our new guest?"
"I will talk to them once they recover. I must somehow make time to discuss matters with the King. It will be a discussion that must provide an answer. This rift between us needs to be mended before the situation grows worse. Afterward, training can begin."
"I can talk with the King," Bulma said firmly. "If they have been spying on us, then they probably already know about me anyway. I just need to tell him to leave us alone, right?"
"Perhaps not in so many words, but yes. See what you can do."
"Alright in the meantime," Bulma said, looking over at Trunks. "Someone else should get to the North Mountains to collect what remains of your machine."
"Y-yeah," Trunks said through a firm nod. "Thank you."
"Sure thing, might as well bring Vegeta, not like he's doing anything."
"Do not speak for me, woman!" The prince snapped.
"You'd be doing me a favor," Bulma said with a wink. "Just make sure you bring it back to the lab so I can start rebuilding it."
"Ridiculous," Vegeta seethed before glaring at Trunks. "We'll leave immediately, boy."
"Ah y-yes sir."
"Hope rebuilding a time machine means I won't have to wait anymore for my sword," Yajirobi said bitterly.
"I told you I'm working on it!" Bulma snapped. "Feels like I'll be busier than ever, trying to help you guys out. Again."
"If that's all for now, then perhaps we can shift over to you Goku," Piccolo stated, shifting his gaze to the saiyan. "Where have you been and again, why are you wearing that outfit?"
"You don't like it?" Goku said, looking at himself. "It was all the rage on Yardrat."
"Yar… drat?" Gohan asked in confusion.
"Yep, that's the planet Nail, and I landed on after Namek. We met some locals called Yardrats, and they taught us some really interesting techniques. The one I learned was how I got here to Earth."
"Are you talking about when you appeared in front of us?" Chichi asked.
"Yep, it's called instant transmission, and it lets me teleport almost anywhere."
"Teleport? Are you serious?" Yamcha said, completely astonished, "How far can you go?"
"As long as I sense someone's energy, I recognize I can go there and back."
"So that's how you could get to Earth with no one sensing your arrival," Tien said with a nod. "But where were you coming from? Yardrat?"
"Oh no, when we landed on Yardrat, the ships we used to escape Namek were pretty banged up. The Yardrats are really smart, though, and they offered to fix them up."
"I heard about this story," Trunks chimed in. "In my time, you learned the instant transmission technique and used it to defeat Frieza when he came here after your fight on Namek. But your ship landed in the North Mountains and it was hours earlier."
"Really?" Goku said, pausing as he thought. "I get why I would have been in the North Mountains. That's where the Yardrats programmed the ship to land, but why would I have been there earlier?"
"I can think of a reason," Tien said, speaking up. "Trunks, whatever happened on Namek in your time is far different from what we know, so I'd like to ask what do you know about Nail?"
"Nail? Who is that?"
"He's a namekian warrior who helped us defeat Frieza on Namek," Krillin said quickly. "He escaped the destruction of the planet with Goku."
"I… I've never heard of him," Trunks admitted.
"Then there's your answer," Tien said with a nod. "If you don't know who he is, then he probably didn't leave Namek with Goku. So that means the Yardrats needed to fix two ships instead of just one, which explains why Goku was late in our time."
"Oh, that makes sense!" Goku said, hitting a fist into his open hand. "Glad he was with me, too. We got a lot of good training done. He's a lot stronger now!"
"That's a mystery solved, I supposed," Piccolo said, stepping forward. "But the more important question remains, where is Nail?"
"General Bara, welcome."
The soldier gave a sharp salute as the general stepped off the helicopter and onto the uneven and broken ground of the North Mountains.
"This… is all that remains?" The general said, looking out onto the mountain range that no longer existed.
"Yes ma'am," the soldier said, dropping his salute. "It took some time to find our bearings with no landmarks, but thanks to the tracker we placed on that young man to guide us, we've found what we're assuming was the battlefield."
"Alright," Bara said, adjusting her cap and walking forward. "What have we found?"
"Most of it is just rubble from the mountains," the soldier said, following the general and pointing out some of the small teams that were collecting samples of rocks and taking pictures of the wide craters and cracks dug into the Earth. "Our initial thoughts was that destruction of this magnitude would surely involve nuclear weapons of some sort, but we already tested the area for radiation. We've found no trace of it, so we're safe to walk freely."
"So this ki energy the King briefed us on isn't radiation based."
"Yes ma'am, what's more is that most of the affects a lot of distance separates points that destroyed the landscape. Whoever or whatever did these things was moving quickly."
"How fast?"
"If we measure the time, the battle took place in how long the quakes started and ended while also taking in the amount of destruction here, then they would have to be moving at supersonic speeds, at the very least."
"Individuals who can fly, break the sound barrier and wield enough firepower to devastate a whole Mountain range? Soi's reaction is making sense."
"Indeed, but that isn't the most important discovery we've made, general," the soldier said, pointing toward a small hill.
Bara nodded and made her way up the small hill. Once there, she got a good view of the remains of the spaceship once belonging to the Frieza Force. To her, the spacecraft was comparable to a horse crab in its shape, but its size and design far surpassed anything that the King's army could build.
"This is a ship?"
"Yes ma'am," the soldier said, joining her. "As far as we can tell, it's capable of space travel, but beyond that, we're having difficulties assessing what else it can do. We're assuming it came from the invaders, but currently, there is no way to tell. We've sent word back to the King on our findings and with your permission, we can start the operation to transport it back to base and begin testing."
"You have it," Bara said, not taking her eyes off the spacecraft. "It looks as if it was damaged during the fight."
"Yes, we're hoping there could be enough components still intact that we could reverse engineer a few things. With your sign off, of course."
"Granted, let's keep this in-house as much as we can."
"Understood, general," the soldier nodded. "You should also know this is only the first wreck we've found. Following the tracker, we also located another ship. It's much smaller, and it a has completely unique design to this one. We can transport that as well."
"A different ship?"
"Yes ma'am, following his movements the young man lingered there for some time so he might belong to him."
"I see. Do we still have eyes on him?"
"No, we eventually lost contact because of his speed, but after he left the mountains, we could get a sense of where he was going."
"Where?"
"Well, it's a little hard to believe, but his flight path suggests he was on his way to the capsule corporation."
"How many people know about that?" Bara asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Few."
"Keep it that way. The population might not react well to learning the inventor of the capsule has some relationship with these Z-Warriors as the King has named them."
"Understood," the soldier nodded. "… there's one more thing as well, ma'am. There's something already on its way back. I made the call to get it out of here as soon as I could. The fewer eyes on it, the better."
"Another machine?"
"No, ma'am," the soldier said, still hesitating. "Something else."
Bara frowned and tried to get a sense of what the soldier could refer to when something caught her eye. From the sky bathed in flames and streaming towards the ground appeared to be two spheres hurling towards one small group of soldiers.
"TAKE COVER!" Bara shouted, causing the group to run as far from the impact point as quickly as they could.
When the two spheres fell, they kicked up a geyser of dust and rock, knocking a few soldiers clean off of their feet and shoving them into the ground. Bara and the soldier next to her rushed over toward the newly formed craters. Once there, Bara peered down into the hole, trying to get a sense of what had just hit the ground.
"On me and weapons free," Bara ordered, signaling the soldiers to surround the hole.
The King's army moved without question, most were equipped with standard assault rifles and were quick to find a good angle and aim their weapons downward. As the moments ticked by, the dust cloud wafted away, putting the two spheres into clear view.
That design, Bara thought to herself. They look nearly identical to the pods recovered from the first invasion.
"Hold steady," Bara added to the squad. "We don't know what we are dealing with yet."
As if it was waiting for someone to speak, one pod cracked open. A loud hiss emerged as the sphere seemed to bloom open, sending a deep unease through the squad.
"Hold," Bara repeated, even as she saw someone emerge from the pod.
Standing tall as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight, Nail was sporting the same outfit Goku had arrived in. Breathing in Earth's air for the first time, he quickly scanned the soldiers, pointing their weapons at him and narrowed his eyes.
"Seems this planet has an interesting custom with welcomes."
"That's-" One soldier began before being cut off by another. "The demon king!"
The unease shifted into fear as the squad's grip on their guns tightened and their jaws clenched.
"I said hold," Bara said, her voice holding firm as she stepped forward and locked eyes with the namekian. "You haven't been seen since the battle at the castle all those years ago, demon king. Why have you reappeared now?"
"Demon king?" Nail said with eyes narrowed. "I am unfamiliar with that title and do not take ownership of it. I am Nail."
"You expect me to believe that?" Bara said, her voice rising. "Every earthling alive knows what you look like, and I was told you were here earlier by a trusted source."
"My companion and I have only just arrived on Earth. I do not know this demon king or a battle at a castle. I shall repeat myself only once more. I am Nail. Champion of Namek."
"Namek?" Bara repeated the word fresh for her. "What is Namek?"
"It was my home," Nail said, his voice growing to a growl. "And I am here to see it restored."
"Restored?" Bara said, thinking deeply. "And how would you go about this?"
"With the dragon, of course," Nail grunted. "Now leave me be. Once my companion is ready, we shall leave."
"Not a chance. I have a lot of questions for you, Nail of Namek. You need to come with us."
"You would stop me from reaching my goal? From bringing back my world?"
"I don't know what your home was like or what this dragon you mentioned is but the last green creature that made their presence known to the world nearly brought it to its knees," Bara said flipping a hand up acting as a signal for her soldiers. "I have questions I need answers to."
"You shall get none from me, human."
Goku had talked to Nail about Earth a little during their training on Yardrat. Mostly about his friends, a few adventures he had in the past, and several memorable battles he had fought. There was little Nail was told about the power dynamics of Earth. He was not told of its government structure, its military, or how steep the differences in power between the humans who battled Frieza with him and the humans who now surrounded him.
Summoning up a small percentage of his power, Nail let loose a pulse of ki energy. To him, it was a simple gesture akin to stomping a foot down during an argument. Namekian children would be pushed back a little and an adult would take notice but remain unaffected. However, for the surrounding circle of soldiers, it did far more.
The pulse sent up a gust that flung the soldiers and Bara far from the crater he was standing in. Several members of the squad collided with the few boulders that remained intact, while others hit the ground hard. Bara landed on her shoulder and felt it give.
"Open fire!" She shouted, ignoring the pain and rising back to her feet.
The soldiers regrouped onto the lip of the crater and centered back on Nail. Rifles from every angle lit up and a hail of bullets fell onto the namekian warrior and the two spacecraft next to him. As more and more soldiers found their feet, they joined their comrades in the bombardment as they emptied their clips.
Nail put up his arm to cover his face in response and let out a low growl, his patience growing thin. The bullets continued to fall, kicking up a new dust cloud that gathered around the namekian. Slowly the guns of the King's army emptied, and the rain of bullets ceased, causing Bara to hold up her hand again and wait for the smoke to clear. A sharp gust of wind cleared the area quickly, revealing Nail unfazed and unharmed. All the same, he understood he had been attacked, and his warrior training demanded he respond.
Bara felt a shift in the air as Nail stared her down. Every instinct she had gained in her years of service rang out a swift message to both her brain and body. Something was coming, something no soldier here was ready for.
"Retreat!" she called, causing her men to look at her in confusion. "RET-"
Nail expanded his aura out to envelop the entire area. Curling up both arms and crossing them across his chest, Nail gathered his power. Throwing out his arms, the namekian expanded his aura to envelop the entire area. Growing far past his crater and encompassing every soldier surrounding him, Nail let loose a blast of energy just as he threw both arms out.
The dome of ki ripped through the ground, expanding the crater as it dug into the Earth. Bara and her soldiers could do nothing as their guns melted in their hands and their military armor caught fire. Skin and bone morphed into ash before the wind of the explosion cast them across the ruins of the mountains. In an instant, the lives of every soldier and their general had been extinguished.
"Weaklings."
Walking over to the other spacecraft giving no mind to the carnage surrounding him. Nail slapped the top of Goku's ship as it sizzled from the discharge and growled. "Son Goku, I grow weary of waiting for you."
When there was no answer, Nail slapped again harder. After another moment, Nail felt some confusion set in. Reaching out with his senses, he was shocked to find no trace of Goku's ki emanating from the ship.
He's vanished, must have used the instant transmission taught to him, but why? And where has he gone?
With nothing else to keep him, Nail rose into the sky, searching for his saiyan companion and a direction to fly. Finding a path that seemed promising, Nail took off, leaving the desolated battlefield behind him as well as the small mechanical beetle that continued to record everything it had witnessed.